Overfeeding?

[dexterdoglancashire]

Is it possible to overfeed chickens? The girls eat a mixture of pellets and mixed food (dry) during the day. For tea I give them a bowl of warm mashed food with whatever I've got left over from the day. I also give them a little green leaves during the day. I always give them a large container of water - I put this into the coop at night. Is this OK?

[Eco-Chic]

They can be overfed on corn which is fattening. Most people advocate giving a handful between 3 or 4 birds as a treat an hour or so before bed.

Pellets and water should be available all throughout the day. It isn't necessary for them to be put into the coop at night.

A little veg, greens and ripe fruit daily is good for them but too much will give them diarrhoea.

[RichmondHens]

Pellets will contain all the nutrients they need. You do not say what the "dry mixed food" is that you feed them but if it is corn, then they do not need it during the day, just a handful late afternoon/eve before they go in to roost. Chickens get fat very easily, and fat chickens don't lay eggs! Like any other animal, being overweight is not healthy for them, so go easy on those treats.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Thanks Richmond for making that clear. Right from now on they'll only get the pellets during the day and a mash/treats for tea. I didn't know you could get fat chooks.

[Eco-Chic]

Dexter,

Hang a few greens or fruit and veg, just out of their reach in their run, so they have to jump and stretch to get them, giving them exercise and stimulating their interest at the same time.

[dexterdoglancashire]

The girls are getting used to this. They ignored them for the first couple of days, so I put them on the ground which they ate. Ive now started sticking them into the bars of the run so they have to get some exercise - at least Im doing something right.

[Snadger]

You can't even mix the corn with the pellets or else they will pick out the corn and leave the pellets. The pellets have everything they require (equivalent to an all in one food you give dogs) so let them fill themselves up with these first BEFORE giving treats.
One thing to note is that if you do feed corn you will neeed to give them some form of grit, as they need this in their gizzard to grind up the corn.

[Bramble-Poultry]

sounds like you are doing everything alright dex, they are pretty simple to look after, just like everyone says make sur ethey get all the essentials before the treats bit like kids and chocolate - you make them finish all of their dinner before they are allowed to eat chocolate or is that just me been a witch?

[Snadger]

.......................... you make them finish all of their dinner before they are allowed to eat chocolate or is that just me been a witch?

You feed yours CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!!

[dexterdoglancashire]

Thanks BP. Treats only after tea.

I really appreciate your help guys and gals.
Bernie

[Hilary B]

A thought. Where does the protein in the layers pellets come from??????

[Flummery]

Cereals contain protein.

[Hilary B]

Cereals contain protein.

Yep, but corn = cereal and makes chooks fat, because it doesn't contain as MUCH protein as 'layers pellets'.
In a lot of brands the additional protein comes from soya beans, which may well be grown on cleared rainforest land.
Might be worth checking, for those who care about such things.